When making flight arrangements, you may have heard the term “empty leg flight” at some point in your journey. Empty legs offer extensive discounts on air travel, provided you can be flexible in when and where you’re going. If so, these flights can be excellent opportunities to stretch your travel budget and enjoy the luxury experience of a private jet charter.
Here’s what you need to know about private jet empty leg flights and how you can take advantage of these deep-discount flights.
What are Private Jet Empty Leg Flights?
When you book a private jet charter, the aircraft comes to pick you up wherever you request, then take you to your destination. But once the plane lands, they may not have another passenger flying out of that same airport. In many cases, the private jet drops you off, then leaves for another airport with no passengers on board.
It’s no secret that flying any distance is expensive, which is why private jet operators offer empty leg flights to help recoup some of the cost.
Empty leg flights are flights that haven’t been booked by a passenger. The aircraft operator is forced to make the flight anyway, so they offer tickets at a steep discount to help pay for it.
If you’re a passenger on an empty leg flight, you’re only paying a fraction of what that same flight would typically cost if you’d chartered it outright. This is one of the easiest ways to make private air charter more affordable.
The Benefits of an Empty Leg Flight vs Traditional Private Charter
The lower cost of an empty leg flight is arguably its biggest benefit. But that’s not the only reason why travelers are attracted to this option. In addition, you can expect the following unique perks:
There are Tons of Available Empty Leg Flights
As private jet travel is growing in popularity, the number of empty leg flights is increasing congruently. Thousands of private jets fly every day to and from airports around the world, and each of them must go to another airport or return home after completing their chartered route. This means that at any given time, you could be taking advantage of an empty leg flight at dramatic savings.
Experience New Places
If you have a thirst for adventure, the limited flexibility in empty legs can help you experience places you may not have otherwise chosen to visit. You’re forced to pick from the empty legs that are available, so you may end up exploring somewhere completely different than your normal destinations.
3 Important Things to Know about Private Jet Empty Leg Flights
Before you book your first empty leg flight, there are a few key points to keep in mind:
Flights are One-Way Only
Because you’re hopping on a flight that was already bound for your destination, you should know that your flight is only one-way. Once you land at your location, you will need to book a separate return trip, and there’s no guarantee that one will be available on the day you wish to return.
However, this isn’t usually a problem if your travel plans are flexible. Working with a reputable broker like Access Jet Group can help you jump on the best opportunities when they become available.
Scheduling is Tight
When you charter a private jet, you can control things like departure time. This isn’t true with an empty leg, however, as that plane is already on a set schedule. You’ll need to be ready to leave as soon as the plane touches down at your airport. And in some cases, the flight may be delayed because the customer who originally chartered it experienced a delay.
If you need to be in a specific place at a specific time, an empty leg flight might not be for you.
You May Need a Backup Plan
In a worst-case scenario, the empty leg you book will be cancelled because the client flying into the airport of your departure cancelled their flight. When this happens, that empty leg disappears because it’s no longer an issue for the operator.
Sudden changes like these can disrupt your travel plans, so it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in mind. Access Jet Group can help mitigate the effects of lost empty legs by monitoring other options on your behalf.
What Does a Private Jet Empty Leg Cost?
Certain factors can make the cost of an empty leg flight drastically differ. The time and date of your flight, the size and style of aircraft, and the end destination will all influence the price. Many clients who choose empty leg flights may save as much as 75% compared to a full-price private jet charter.
For the most accurate pricing, reach out to Access Jet Group for availability and a custom quote.
Where Can I Book Empty Leg Flights?
Access Jet Group is committed to connecting you with empty leg flights at affordable prices. We have one of the largest global networks of private aircraft, which means we also have access to the largest variety of empty legs at any given time.
For the most up-to-date availability and pricing, contact Access Jet Group directly and let us help you explore your options.
